It was moved by Olsen and supported by Skogman that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

1. Approve the minutes of the January 18, 2000, regular meeting as submitted.

2. That the communications be accepted, placed on file, and those requiring further action by the Council be acted upon during their proper sequence on the agenda.

3. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period January 16-31, 2000, totaling $285,661.48, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

4. Acknowledge the receipts for the period January 16-31, 2000, totaling $210,840.51, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion to adopt the consent agenda carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Matanich and supported by Olsen to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Jim Giorgi to the Planning and Zoning Commission with the term expiring December 31, 2001. The motion carried.

It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Gerry Golobich to the Parks and Recreation Board with the term expiring December 31, 2001. The motion carried.

The City Engineer requested that the City Council table action on Resolution #02-00, Award of Drainage Bid, because of some modifications to the contract. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to table Resolution #02-00, Award of Drainage Bid. The motion carried.

The Director of Public Works said that the following quotes were received for thirty 200 amp meter pedestals:

United Electric $330.00 $10,543.50

Border States Electric $332.70 $10,629.76

Resco, Inc. $383.00 $12,236.85

It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to approve meter pedestal quotes as recommended by the Director of Public Works to United Electric for a total cost of $10,543.50. The Council discussed the issue regarding the previously quoted price of approximately $5,940 and the previous award. The Mayor said that this is a legal issue regarding supplying the pedestals as quoted. The City Administrator said that the City did not request security on the quote. After additional discussion, Councilor Piri withdrew his motion and Councilor Skogman withdrew his support. The Council requested the City Attorney to review the situation and make a recommendation at the next regular meeting.

It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen to name the new housing development plat as the Unity Addition to Mountain Iron. The motion carried.

It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to authorize the Sheriff�s Department to prepare specifications and call for bids on a new 4-wheel drive vehicle. The motion carried.

The Council reviewed the Sheriff�s Department December 1999 Activity Report. Councilor Olsen requested the Sheriffs to patrol by Mott Pit during the school noon hour. The Council discussed the Lushine incident by the Mountain Iron-Buhl School. The Sergeant said that he has been working with the School Board on the situation.

It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to accept the recommendation of the Mesabi Trail Committee and approve the Mesabi Trail route as presented by the Rail Authority from County Road 102 to the western City Limit. The motion carried.

It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Olsen to approve the following items in concept and refer to staff for further review:

1) Authorize a separate motorized trail to run adjacent to the Mesabi Trail in a shared right of way wherever possible and practical.

2) Seek cooperation from IRRRB and snowmobile enthusiasts to develop and maintain the trail.

3) Seek local and business input to develop a plan.

4) Construct and maintain spurs and access areas to the Mesabi Trail.

The motion carried.

The Council discussed formally changing the designation of the Mesabi from non-motorized to multi-purpose. The Council took no formal action and requested the Mesabi Trail Committee to review the situation and make a recommendation.

It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to approve the Policy and Procedure Relating to City Contractual Services for Non-Profit Organizations, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.

It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to approve the Emergency Apparatus Insurance Agreement, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.

It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to authorize the Personnel Committee and City Administrator to begin to negotiate with AFSCME Local 453. The motion carried.

It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize staff to seek quotes based upon the State and County bid schedules for office furniture for the City Hall and furnishings for the Council Chambers. The motion carried.

It was moved by Skogman and supported by Brunfelt to authorize the payment to the Range Recreation Civic Center in the amount of $9,237 with the expenditure coming from the mining effects fund. The motion carried on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Matanich and supported by Olsen to change the next regular meeting date to Tuesday, February 22, 2000, because of the President�s Day holiday. The motion carried.

It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize a donation of $100 to the Mountain Iron-Buhl Class of 2000 for the All-Night Chemical Free Graduation Party. The motion carried on a roll call vote.

The Council discussed the letter received from Richard Edstrom from the Iron Range Veteran�s Memorial. It was the consensus of the Council to have Mr. Edstrom make a presentation regarding the Iron Range Veteran�s Memorial to discuss the cost and funding sources for the project.

It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Administrator and the Mayor or Deputy Mayor attend the Census 2000 meeting at Park Inn in Virginia on March 1, 2000.

During the Mayor’s report, the Mayor requested the City Administrator to give an update with regard to the status of bringing all of the utilities in the City of Mountain Iron through the Mountain Iron Public Utilities. The City Administrator updated the Council, he said that obtaining the water utilities through Virginia would be the easiest and least expensive to obtain. He said that the electrical utilities through Virginia need an appraisal of the Virginia system servicing Mountain Iron residents and calculations for lost revenues. He also said that electric deregulation is being considered through the legislature. The Mayor requested to have the water utilities transferred from the Virginia Public Utilities completed by possibly July, 2000 and obtain the electric utilities from the Virginia Public Utilities possibly by January, 2001. It was the consensus of the Council to get a status report at the 1st meeting of each month from staff regarding obtaining the Virginia Public Utilities to transfer water and electric utilities to the City of Mountain Iron to service the Mountain Iron residents.

During the open discussion, Councilor Skogman said that the Council should look at some of the new commercial buildings being constructed in Mountain Iron because they don’t fit the decor of what should be constructed in certain areas. He felt that the City should place covenants for the construction of certain structures in the City of Mountain Iron. Mayor Brunfelt suggested that the information be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further consideration. Councilor Skogman suggested that the City Council meet with the Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss the matter.

During the open discussion, Councilor Matanich updated the City Council on the City Hall/Community Center construction.

At 7:37 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.